Letter Book relating to the Lieutenancy of Kent, 1604-28

LETTER BOOK RELATING TO 'l'HE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 (Being part of Egerton 860) 'By J. J. N. McGUB.K, 'B.A.(Hons.) !NTRODUOTION The Wotton family seat was Booton, or Boughton, in the parish of Boughton Malherbe, ,vhioh lies in the centre of Kent about 6 miles from Charing. By the time of the birth of Edward and indeed, that of his famous half-brother, Sir Henry Wotton, the diplomatist, poet and writer, Boughton Hall had been the Wotton's possession for over a century and a half. Their father Thomas Wotton, being fourth in descent from Nicholas Wotton, the famous Lord Mayor of London in the reign of IIenry V obtained the seat by marriage with the heiress of Robert Corbye. Consolidation by prudent marriage remained a trait of the family and so they prospered and rose to high office in the State. It is said of the Wottons that they retained a certain modesty in pushing their fortunes, though this is not a characteristic very much in evidence in the case of the Lord Edward Wotton, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. His grandfather, Sir Edward Wotton (1489-1551) had been Treasurer in Calais in 1540 and one of the executors of Henry VID and he is said to have refused the Chancellorship offered him by that monarch. His father, Thomas Wotton (1521-87) was a staunch Protestant and suffered under Mary by imprisonment in the Fleet for his beliefs. Elizabeth on her accession wanted to knight him but he was unwilling to change bis rural pursuits for those of the courtier. However, his epitaph in Boughton church would suggest that he later accepted the honour. William Lambarde dedicated his Perambulation of Kent to him and that pioneer county history was published in 1576 with a prefatory letter by Thomas Wotton. After 30 years of service to the county on the Commission of the Peace as well as on a variety of other commissions, ranging from piracy and musters, to those of Dover Harbour and gaol delivery, he died on the 11th January, 1587. (Inquisitio Post Mortem Eliz. coxv, No. 263). Izaak Walton described Thomas Wotton as a man 'of great modesty, of a plain and single heart, of an ancient freedom and integrity of mind'. By his first marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Rudston he fathered five sons; Edward, 124 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 the first Baron Wotton and the Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Wotton, soldier and poet knighted by Essex at Rouen in 1591, Sir James Wotton, soldier and knighted also by Essex at Cadiz in 1596, and two other sons, viz. Robert and Thomas. By his second marriage to Eleanor, daughter of Sir William Finch of Eastwell and widow of Robert Morton, he was the father of Sir Henry Wotton, ambassador and man of letters. The family history can be pursued in F. Thynne 'Lives of the Wotton's in Holin.shed Ohronicalea, iii; in Logan Pearson Smith's Sir Henry Wotton: Life and Letter8, Oxford, 1907; the Dictionary of National BiogrOIJ)hy; a note of the family pedigree in Add. MSS. 14, 311 f. 20 in the B.M. a.nd for the official actions of Edward Lord Wotton, State Papers Domestic, xciv, xcv, xcvi passim. Egerton 860-the section herein calendared. Also see G. Eland (ed.) Thomae Wotton'8 Letter Boole IIJ74-IIJ86 (1960). Edward's life makes an interesting contrast with that of his father; while he declined honours and high position, the son eagerly sought them. At the time of his knighthood, his half brother, Henry writing to Lord Zouche from Sienna ends his letter with a comment that gives us a good insight into Edward's character; 'My brother Edward (which I only writ to thend because I am bound to write all) hath either against his will (as some say) or with it (as I say) been knighted.'1 Again unlike his father Edward was a Roman Catholic. The exact date of his conversion is not known, but it has been conjectured that it came about as a result of reading his own son's account of his death-bed conversion in Valadolid.2 This son, Pickering Wotton, is unmentioned in the Dictionary of National Biography and has led to speculation as to his legitimacy, yet the name Pickering was the maiden name of Hester his first wife, daughter of Sir William Pickering of York.3 If such was the manner of Edward's conversion then the date could be placed at 1605, but Furley, ii, p. 256, gives no authority for the view that this rea-ding was the cause. There does not appear to exist the evidence of a Pa.pal Rescript, which would have enabled Edward Wotton to take the oath of office nor does it appear to have been all that necessary under James I.'-" Other evidence for the fact of Edward's conversion is more cogent in that his widow, Margaret, daughter of Lord Wharton and his second wife was fined £500 in the High Commission Court in February, 1633, for having an inscription placed on her husband's tomb, viz. that he di􀂴 a true Catholic of the Roman faith and for removing a font to 1 L. Pearsall Smith, Life anil Letters of Henry Wotton, 295. 2 R. Furley, A Hi8tory of the Weald of Kent (1871-4), ii, 256. 3 An English version of Pickering Wotton's conversion can be read in lwcord8 of the EW,Jli8h Province of the Society of JesU8, ii, 206. ' I am indebted to Fr. Lomie S. J. for this information given in Sir John Nee.la's Tudor Hi8tory Seminar, London University (1966). 125 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 set up the said tomb.6 Apparently before he died Edward had expressed the desire to be buried as near the place he received baptism as he might. The fact of his Catholicism must have been well known in his later years since he wa.s excluded from membership of Charles I's Privy Council for that rea.son. In the 1570s and early 1580s when his life centred on diplomatic missions to Vienna, Scotland, Portugal and France, Mendoza thought of him as a creature of Walsingham's but was unable to discover the nature of his religious allegiance.6 Edward's ambition to high office met with much success through his friendship with Ja.mes I but he also experienced a number of disappointments. In 1594/5 he wa.<:i High Sheriff of Kent and the following year he petitioned Burghley in vain for the Treasury of the Chamber.7 He was again unsuccessful in a bid for the Wardenship of the Cinque Ports in 1597. At this time, too, nothing came of the proposal to make him Principal Secretary of State.8 He was further disappointed in not gaining a peerage, 9 but it was not pique which made him decline the ambassadorship to France in 1601; he awaited greater things arid was made Comptroller of the Queen's Household in December, 1602. On the attaint of the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Sir Henry Cobham, the following year, Sir Edward was appointed to that office,10 but the office of Lord Warden which the latter and his father held in conjunction with the Lieutenancy was now with Wotton separated when Henry Howard, later Earl of Northampton, became the Warden of the Cinque Ports.u The presence of two great officials in the County did not always make for peace, witness the numerous disputes concerning areas of jurisdiction when Lord Zouche was Warden and Wotton Lord Lieutenant.12 The Commission of Lieutenancy to Wotton included the assignation of his deputies (Sir Peter Manwood, Sir John Scott, Sir John Leveson, Sir Thomas Walsingham, and Sir Thomas Fane). It was one of the last occasions on which this was done since in the first quarter of the seventeenth century it became the practice to omit the clause in the & Oourt and Times of Charles I, ii, 227 and L. P. Smith, op. cit., ii, 344, • D.N.B. Wottons. 7 Lansdowne MSS., lxxix, 19. 8 Appendix to volume I of Mr. Secretary Wal-singham, O. Read, O.U.P. 1925 prmts, A treatwe of the office of a Councellor and Principall Secretarie to Her Majesty, which was composed for the benefit of Sir Edward Wotton, who expected the office e.t that time. He was not appointed nor three yee.rs later when the matter came up a.gain. The treatise is signed R.B. whom Conyers Read identified as Robert Beale, to whom most of the Yelverton Manuscripts belonged-the collection in which this treatise is found. o I. Collins, Letters and Memoir8, ii, 85-8. 10 Egerton 860 passim inter f. 7 and f. 48 and especially ff. 19 and 20. See p. 133. Add. MS. 34176 f. 37, which gives the date of his Commission of Lieutenancy as 20th April in the second year of His Majesty's reign (1604/5). 11 Ca.I. S. P. James I (1603-10), 64. 11 Ca.l. S. P. Ja.mes I (1611-18), 316 et seq. 126 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Commission naming the deputies, instead the Lord Lieutenant sent up a short list to the Council for approval or otherwise. King James continued Sir Edward in the office of Comptroller and created him Baron Wotton of Marley two months after his accession on 13th May, 1603.13 Many honours were showered on Wotton in James's time, including the Treasury of the Household, but he was persuaded to retire from that office in December, 1617. The Duke of Lennox opposed his resignation on the grounds that it was being done without his consent; nevertheless Wotton agreed on an offer of £5,000 in compensation and made unsuccessful attempts to have himself raised to the Viscountancy, for the simple reason that the King opposed it.14 It would appear that the last decade of his life from 1618-28 was spent in retirement and little is known of it. He does complain over an assessment for the subsidy in 1625/6 in a letter written by himself and dated the 7th November, 1626. This certainly means that the date of his death as recorded in the Calendar of the State Papers Domestic (1625-26 P.470) as being the 4th November, 1626, is incorrect and also since the Inquisitions Post Mortem have the 4th May, 1628, as the date of his death.16 His son Thomas became the 2nd Baron Wotton, but died on the 2nd of April, 1630, leaving four daughters: Catherine, who married Henry Lord Stanhope; Hester, who married Baptist Noel, 3rd Viscount Campden; Margaret, who became the wife of Sir John Tufton; and Anne, the wife of Sir Edward Hales, whose son Edward became the titular Earl of Tenterden. INSIDE THE COVER OF EGERTON 860 The following printed notice is found: 'Lord Lieutenancy of Kent, Bucks, and Middx; Temp. Jas. I. and Chas. I. Transcripts of letters to and from Lord Edward Wotton and the Duke of Lennox, Villiers, Duke of .Buckingham. This volume appears to have been written by a person who was successively secretary to Lord Wotton and the Duke of Buckingham. Manuscript purchased from Henry Bolin the 26th of September 1840.' 13 Hasted, History of Kent, v, 403; others created with Wotton were Robert Sidney, Lord Cecil, Lord Knollys. Hasted adds that Wotton came in his ordinary clothes before the King when the patent was delivered him and like the others had their robes laid over their shoulders that Sir Robert Cecil's 'crookedness might be less observed'. u S.P. 14/95/5, 12, 15 and S.P. 14/96/1. 16 I am indebted to T. Hartley for the above correction on dating Wotton's dea.th, whose thesis The office of Sheriff in Kent c. 1680-c. 1630 is in progress a.nd unpublished. 127 THE LIEUTEN.AN0Y OF KENT, 1604-28 I would like to add that the radical change in the character of the script for Buckingham's correspondence may very well presuppose a different secretary from the one employed by Wotton. Fo. l and 2. A passport granted by the Duke of Buckingham Warrant for safe conduct. (Latin-original.) Fo. 3. Warrant granted to Sir John Leveson-Purveyor to his Majesty-all other officers are to assist him in his work. Donna a Londres L' xxvi de Januarie 1616. (French.) Fo. 4. Buckingham to the Lord of Avondale-13th Feb. 1624. He is well content that His Lordship has the keeping of Ashwalke in the Forest of Windsor; this letter authorizes him to take charge of several walks to preserve the game and this is to be his warrant. From the court at Newmarket. Dated as above. Fo. 4 (dorse). A like warrant was written for Sir Walter Tiohborne for Frimley Walk. Fo. 5. The full titles of the Duke of Buckingham 'Georgius Dux et Marchio Buckingham, Comis Countriensis vicecomis Villiers, Baro de Whaddon sum.mus Angliae Admirallius, Magister Equorum Regiae Maiestatis, Quinque Portarum et duorum oppidorum vitera, Gardioanus, Canoellarius et Admirallius et Justiciarius iterans et Capitalis Justiciarius Omnio Foresta.rum Chararum, et parcorum warranto Dni Regis citra Trentham, Camera Cubilis serenissima Regia Maiestatus Generosus a privatis Oonoilis in utriusque Anglia et Scotia Regnis R'ni Oancelliarius.' Fo. 6. The Deputy Lieutenants of George, Duke of Buckingham, Sir Peter Manwood, Sir Dudley Digges, Sir Nicholas Tufton, Sir Henry Barnham, Sir Percival Harte. Fo. 6 d. The East Division contains the laths of St. Augustine and Sbipway and the Hundreds annexed and the 4 Hundreds and the 7 Hundreds and the City of Canterbury if it have no special deputation from the Mayor. The West Division contains the laths of Sutton-at-Hone and Aylesford with the city of Rochester and the town of Maidstone. Fo. 7. The names of such gents. as are appointed to attend my Lord to meet the Constable of Spain. Anno. 1604. There are 28nam among whom are Sir John Scott, Sir John Twisden, Sir Nicholas Gilborne, Sir Thomas Honeywood and Geo. Waller. Fo. 8. Letter from Lord Edward Wotton to Sir Thomas Walsingham, 20th April, 1605, asking him to have a 'vigilant and strange watohe sett at Shutters Hill' because of the late disorders in the area. Sent from Greenwich by the Constable there.' 128 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 8. PrivyCounoil letter toLordEdwardWotton theL􀃅Lieutenant. Reoeived the 8th July 1605. The Bands trained and untrained are to be enrolled and put in a state of readiness and all former instruotions of the Lord Lieutenant's are to be obeyed. And they are to meet at fit plaoes for the muster master's view. Fo. 8. d. Continues the same letter and has a. postoript to the effeot that arms are to be distributed on one oooasion and the oost defrayed by the County. From Whitehall the last of June 1605. Fo. 9. Lord Edward Wotton to his Deputy Lieutenants; July 5th, 1605. He encloses a copy of the Privy Council's last letter 'whereby ye maie perceive H. M. ties Pleasure'. He enoourages them to · use all oare and diligence to see the defects supplied and oertifl.oate of men and arm.our made, and that the places of Captains that are dead or removed be supplied. All present Captains are to send in their Commissions to him so that order can be taken to fill in the vacancies. The letter is directed to both parts of the Shire the same day by the Messenger John Stevens. In a Postscript he informs them that he has made choioe of Captain Brett (under you and with your assistance) ,to take the view of the arms, furniture, men, etc. From Whitehall. Fo. 9. Lord Edward Wotton to Captain Brett-Muster Master. 5th July, 1605. He requests him to repair to the Deputy Lieutenants and to prooeed with their directions to take the view by the 11th of September. From Whitehall. Fo. 9 d. Edward Wotton to the Deputy Lieutenants concerning the muster master's entertainment. Dated 11th July, 1605; Directed to the Deputies in each Division by John Shaw, messenger. He reminds them to fill up empty places in the Trained Bands and that 'Capt. Brett maie have the same intertaynment as formerly hath been given to the Muster Mastera to be as liberal as it heretofore hath beene.' This postsoript to the last letter takes the form of a number of instructions, pertinent to the pay of the muster master. 'Everie Capt. of seleoted foote shall make allowance of iij" unto the muster master, and this is to be levied on the companies by the constables. The Captains of Horse xxx sh. All Captains are to deliver on􀃆 perfeot muster book signed with his name and the place of the person, with names, numbers, of carriages, pioneers, and the weight of powder and bullet to every oompany belonging. And with the names of the rendevous and the number of Beacons within every division. New Captains are to take the oath in the recognized formula.' 129 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 10. Edward Lord Wotton to the Deputy Lieutenants of the West Division with instructions for the Captains of Horse. Sent from Drayton by post 4th August, 1605. The Deputies of the West Division were Sir John Leveson, Sir John Scott, and Sir Thomas Walsingham. Fo. 10. Copy of Edward Lord Wotton's letter to the Deputies of the East Division, with commissions for Captains. Sent from the Court at .Ashby, 14th August, 1605. Fo. 10, Edward Lord Wotton to the Deputies of the West Division. Sends commission for the captains asking them to give knowledge to the gentlemen appointed to furnish troops and that certificate is to be made. Tells them that he has already sent similar to the Captains of the West Division. From the Court at .Ashby, 15th August, 1605. Fo. 10 d. A Copy of the Commission directed to those that are appointed to be Captains of select or general bands within the Co. of Kent. They a.re to call before them at convenient days and places persons of good ability; enrol them and note the defects. They must follow instruction which from time to time they will receive from his Deputies; Dated (blank) August, 1605. Fo. 11. Is an identical commission with the one noted above and similarly dated. Fo. 11 d. A Commission directed to those that are Captains of Horse bands They must adhere to the days and places assigned by the Deputy Lieutenant and to assemble the horse bands before them with their horses and armour. They are to be enrolled and the defects noted. .All former instructions relative to this service are to be followed with diligence and fidelity. Dated August, 1605. Fo. 12. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Richard Sandes. Dated the last of August, 1605, and sent from Windsor by the post. The letter concerns his refusal to command the select bands of the 4 Hundreds. Wotton wonders at this refusal since when they met at Greenwich Sandes 'asked of that band' and moreso since he had the commission for some time. He hopes that he only means to defer the command 'to avoid the trouble of mustering it this sommer'. He assures him that there 'is noe man within the County of Kent soo :fitt as yourself, in fa.et none fitt but yourself to my knowledge'. A warning about the ba4 example that he might give follows and he ends by sending him the commission again. Fo. 12 d. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir John Scott his Deputy Lieutenant. He encloses a copy of the last letter sent to Sir Richard Sandes and a commission for Mr. Harlakenden 130 THE LIEUTENAN0Y OF KENT, 1604-28 'which I praie doe accordinge to my former instructions'. Dated Oxford, 27th August, 1605. Fo. 12. d. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Peter Manwood. He tells him that the Commission for Mr. Scott, Capt. of the Calivers is alrea,dy sent to Sir John Scott. He tells him that he does not think there will be any great use of the present service, but that no doubt he will have his men in a state of readiness. He is going to draft Mr. Johnson's commission. Sent by Sir Geo. Fane, 26th August, 1605. Fo. 12. d. Sir John Scott to Sir Richard Sandes charging him with the captaincy of the select band to take his company to the place assigned for the muster. 5th Sept., 1605. (Unsigned.) Fo. 13. Edward Lord Wotton to the Deputies in the East Division. They are to forward the commission to the Captains decided on in the last meeting and that upon the reason alleged in their last letter he is going to keep back Sir John Smith's and send him a letter. From my house at Boughton Malherbe the 12th Sept., 1605. Fo. 13. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir John Smith-12th Sept., 1605. Directed to Sir John Smith of Ostenhanger, Knight, from Boughton M. It appears that in William Lord Cobham's time the men of Ashford objected'to being mustered with the rest of the division; so he is appointing Sir John to be their Captain 'and so that the Deputies may not be ignorant of this appointment I pray you acquaint them of this my letter'. Fo. 13 d. Copy of a Commission for the Mayor and others of Canterbury. Addressed to Sir John Boyes, the mayor of Canterbury for the time being and twelve others named. Edward Lord Wotton quotes the opening words of his own Commission of Lieutenancy possibly to show that it includes the City of Canterbury. 'Whereas Mr. Alcocke is by me appointed Captain of the select band within the liberties of the said city and Mr. Charles Wheatnall Capt. of the General bands that you bee from tyme to tyme ayding and assisting them and allowinge them to meete in the assigned places and for a traininge in armes and furniture.' 'Sent from Boughton Malherbe the 13th daie of Sept. 1605 the thirde yea.re of H. M. reigne of England, France and Ireland and of Scotland the xx;xixTH_• Fo. 14. Commission to Sir Wm. Twisden, Captain of the Light horse in the Lath of Aylesford. 13th Sept., 1605. It :was obviously a renewal of the captaincy but contains all the usual instructions. It is endorsed 'To my loving cousin and friend Sir Wm. Twisden of East Peckham Knight.' The secretary wrote 'great' for 'East' here. 131 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604'-28 Fo. 14 d. A list of the names of those that are appointed to furnish the band of light horse in the lath of Aylesford. There are 45 names headed by Sir Thomas Fludde and ending with Sir Wm. Selbye, Knight. Fo. 15. Instructions sent to Sir Wm. Twisden Knight Capt. of the Lighthorse within the lathe of Aylesford. Dated 14th Sept., 1605. A list of ten points are made, here preoised. I. He is to take the musters and make enrollment with the names of the persons chargeable; to note defects, and to make certificate to the Lord Lieutenant. 2. He details the armour for horse and rider. 3. Noblemen's servants that do not want to be enrolled in the general bands are to be enrolled and trained with the calivers; and if any yeoman finding horse be of ability of body then he shall likewise be enrolled and trained. 4. That the said persons your soldiers, do receive the oath of a soldier which I sent unto you. 5. None of the said persons, your soldiers, are to go out of the lath to be enrolled elsewhere, without giving notice first to you. 6. That his ban􀃵 contain, a lieutenant, a trumpet, a cornet, an armourer, a surgeon, a blacksmith (to sharpen the daggers) and a saddler. 7. When his band is not complete he is to confer with the nearest Deputy Lieutenant and to deliver the names of all such as are wanting to me. Fo. 15 d. 8. The rendezvous for the horsemen is to be Pendenham Heath, that on the firing of the beacons or other warning they must meet him there. 9. East Malling it to be the place for training as heretofore it bath been. 10. Besides the general muster day that there be some other days appointed to exercise the men in the management of their horses and in the use of their weapons. Fo. 15 d. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Oliver Leigh-20th March, 1605. He tells him that he is informed of various misdemeanours in the West of the County and that these are ea.used by a lack of justices. The Lord Wotton reminds him that he is for a. long time in the Commission of the Peace and has not yet taken the oath. He implores hlm to take it and undertake the charge. Fo. 16. This and the following folios-17 anrl, 18 recto and verso are ruled out diagrammatically under the following headings. Hundreds within the lath; Captains of the General Bands; 132 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Captains of the Select Bands and Captains of Horsemen. Only the columns entitled 'Hundreds within the lath' are filled in for the five laths of the Shire. The other three columns are left blank. Fo. 19 and 20 (both recto and verso) is a copy of Edward Lord Wotton's Commission of Lieutenancy. The Cinque ports a.s usual are exempt from his jurisdiction, but the city of Canterbury and the County of the same, the city of Rochester and all other corporate and privileged places within the limits of the County of Kent are not exempt. He is to have authority to appoint the muster master and if necessary a provost martial. It is also an interesting Commission in that his Deputy Lieutenants are named, Fo. 21. Is a copy of the Deputation made out to the Deputy Lieutenants. The Deputies are Sir Peter Manwood, Sir Thomas Willsford, Sir John Scott, Sir John Leveson, Sir Thomas Waller and Sir Thomas Walsingham. Dated the nth of May 1608. Fo. 21 d. A letter to the Mayor of the City of Canterbury who for the time being is also joined in the deputation. The Mayor is to be his deputy in the said service of lieutenancy in the city and County of Canterbury, excepting the Cinque Ports. The letter is addressed to Mr. Paramore, Mayor and dated the 27th May, 1608, and sent to Sir John Scott ofNettlestead the same day by Thomas Heath. Fo. 22. Privy Council Letter to 'our right trustie and right wellbeloved councillor the Lord Wotton, the Lieutenant of Kent', asking him to make arrangements so that fifty men may be sent out of the Co. of Kent into Ireland. The charge for the service is to be on the wealthier and those of best ability. (Received the xx:viiTH of :May about 8 o'clock at night.) Fo. 23. Continuation of the above-the recruited men are to set off in 'suche tyme that they faile not to be at Chester by the 14th June next'. Arrangements are being made for their transportation. Signed among others by R. Salisbury, Suffolk, Nottingham Ashley and Edward Wotton (and directed to the latter). Dated 25th May, 1608. Fo. 23 d. Letter from their Lordships of the Council to Mr. Nicholson to view arms and armour for the service in Ireland. He is to deliver the· arms at the port of West Chester. The money for this expense is to be levied on the Counties at the rate of Her late Majesty's. Order is to be taken for the collection of the money for the said arms and to be made over to Nicholson here at his house in London. 133 14 THE LmUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 24. Continues the same; from the court at Greenwich the 25th May, 1608. (Ten signatures.) Fo. 24 d. Letter from Edward Lord Wotton to his Deputies for the levying of the aforesaid men. The letter is addressed to Sir Thomas Walsingham and dated 28th May, 1608. He encloses a copy of their Lordship's letter. They are to consider how many days is :fitting for their conduct to Chester and to pay the coat and conduct money as is stated in the said letter. From the court and signed E.W. Fo. 24. A Postscript to the letter to the Deputies, which tells them that he has also sent several deputations including one to the 􀄐yor of Canterbury. Reminds them to be careful in their choice of men, apparel and armour. Fo. 25. Lord Edward Wotton to the Commissioners for the watch on Shooters Hill, among whom are Sir Thomas Walsingham, Sir Wm. Barnes, Sir William Wittens and Sir Oliver Leigh. Reminds them to pay the watchmen and to continue the service there. They are empowered to 'levy a charge on the area and if anyone refuse to pay you maie binde them over to appeare before me at suche dates as by you shall be thought fitt to answere their contempt'. Fo. 25 d. Continues the above-Wotton remarks that he thinks there will be no difficulty about collecting the money since there have been so many robberies there that 'the people will paye a fine for a gain in a great deale of quietness'. Fo. 25 d. Edward Lord Wotton to. the Justices near Greenwich concerning Her Majesty's Servants. He remarks that H. Majesty's servants may be in a privileged position concerning service to the County. Fo. 25 d. He finds the general opinion on this to be that 'all H. Majesty's servants dwelling in the County are exempted and privileged from all service to be done by their owne person, but towards suche taxes assessed either for levying suche soldiers or a like service as shall be proportionately and justly rated uppon them they ought to pay equally with the rest. I thoughte it good to signifie to you to deale with them acoordinglie to justice with such as you shall fin.de to refuse.' Dated 28th June, 1608. Fo. 26. The Privy Council to Edward Lord Wotton Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent. From the Court at Greenwich the last of June 1608. Tells him that it is a long time since there has been a general view of arms, men and armour and that men 'commonlie forget in tyme of peace the neede for a, stat of prepardnesse ... His Majesty in his wμidom has given 134: THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 order for a general view to be made and a certificate of the said forces of the Co . ... invasion not imminent this tyme.' 'So as to avoid interruptions of necessary labour the view and training is to take place betwixt the harvest and seed time next coming.' Fo. 26 d. Enrollments are to be made of all the trained and untrained Officers whose vacant places are to be filled. All arms, weapons, and furniture are to be cleaned and repaired. Care is to be taken about exemptions of those that claim they are of His Majesty's household or of any nobleman 'Y oure Lordshippe is to take expresse order that noe suohe persons bee exempted in that case except only those that are known to be His Majesty's ordinarie servants in Courte and meniall and household servants unto noblemen ... the rest are to be charged and rated at the musters and other public services. The J. P.'s are not to spare themselves in finding horse for a better example to be given others, they will do it of their own accord readily and willinglie.' Fo. 27. Continuation of the same letter with a reminder that the musters are to be taken in all divisions on the same day, to avoid the prevalent abuse of armour and arms being used in many divisions (the same arms over and over again). If he cannot conveniently arrange this he is to take notice of any abuse in this matter. Powder and bullet is to be provided and carriages to be kept in readiness. 'Perfect and orderlie certificate is to be made unto us by the laste of November next with numberes of both horse and foote and of all the kines of supplies made.' Fo. 27 d. Edward Lord Wotton to his Deputies concerning the above instructions from their Lordships of the Council. It is directed to both divisions with a copy of the letter and a covering letter emphasizing the main instructions. He complains that no doubt the bands of horse are badly broken up and that in the past many have been backward in finding arms and furniture. Those that refuse on this occasion to cooperate are to be bound over to appear before the Court of the Council. He tells them that he has again appointed Captain Brett to aid them to make a, better certificate and for him to take the view. He is to receive the customary entertainment. He hopes to receive the Certificate together with a muster roll fair written, on the day a.ssigned. From the Court, 4th July, 1608. Fo. 28. A Postscript to the above letter urging them to take the musters on the one day in the several limits for the 'avoidinge of borrowed armes'. 135 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 2& d. A formal Commission issued by Eq.ward Lord Wotton for Oapts. of Foot. Dated the 􀃞xth daie of June in the sixth yeare of His Mat Jes raignf:l of England and of Scotland the xlith, 1608. Fo. 29. A formal commission issued by Edward Lord Wotton for Capts of Horse bands. The prologue is the same as in the former commission and the appropriate blanks are left for names, dates and places. It is dated as in the last one. Fo. 29 d. A formal commission for the Captains of bands of Lances. In all the three above commissions they are counselled to follow all former instruction and any such further instruction they may receive. (To my very loving friend, Tho. Soot, esq.) Fo. 30 Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Thomas Waller asking that the band lately under the command of Sir Thomas Fane be mustered. Dated the 16th Sept., 1608. In the life time of Sir Thomas Fane there was a select band under hlm hut for some reason he has not yet discovered its Captain; he asks Waller to take charge of this band so that it may be viewed and a perfect supply of defects made as if there was a captain assigned against the coming of Captain Brett, the muster master. Fo. 30 d. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Ralph Bosseville. He acknowledges that there are good grounds for complaint about levying too many taxes on the County, but he asks him to rate and charge in the first place to supply the defects and then to see the band properly fitted out with coats. 'You shall find me ready to doe what is fitting.' Dated the 17th Sept., 1608. Fo. 30 d. Edward Lord Wotton toSirThomasWaller aboutMr. Turke's request. It appears that Mr. Turke appealed to the Lord Lieutenant in some case, but 'since considering how neare he is to Dover I began to doubte whether he bee within the Ports or not. Whereof I desire to bee by this bearer informed from yourself.' If thls is the case Wotton asks Waller to inform Turke that he is outside his jurisdiction and that he must desire nothing more than to be in good corresponding with my Lord Warden. Dated 26th Sept., i608. Fo. 31. The Copy of a Commission for a Survey to be taken of His Majesty's Woods and copses. In Latin. The dorse of fo. 31 , . continues the same. Fo. 31 d. Edward Lord Wotton to the following Justices of the Peace concerning the above Survey; Sir Wm. Somerville, Mr. Henry Heyman, and to .Sir Edward Gervase. 'I have made choice of you to do the said contents of the Commission, together with suche instructions as are thought fitt to bee observed in this I 136 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 doe hereof sende unto yon desiring yon to take my order as this Survey maie bee exactly taken.' The result of the Survey is to be returned to him before the first day of Trinity Term next. Fo. 32. Lord Edward Wotton to the Valuers for the Survey in Kent; to William Hyden of Woodchurch and to Richard Hardres of Barswell. 'Informed of your skill in surveyinge and valuing of lands and woods I have made choice of you to make a survey and valuation of all His Majesty's woods, underwoods, and copses that are in that Co. of Kent.' When they receive this letter as their warrant, they are to go to the Commissioners for further instructions. It was apparently well paid for they were to receive VIIsh. VId. per diem. Dated the 27th March, 1607. Fo. 32. Lord Edward Wotton to the Measurers; Thomas Pope of Hucking and Thomas Yates of Broad, Marston. They are to have the same payment and to submit their report by the first day of Trinity Term and to go to the appointed Commissioners for this Survey for their instructions. Dated the 21st March, 1607. Fo. 32 d. This and fo. 33 contains a list of ten instructions that were sent to the appointed commissioners for the surveying of His Majesty's woods within the county of Kent. Here summarized. (i) They are to make note of all growing timbers and to value the same and having done so to mark them with a J & K. (ii) To note all rotten trees and to set down a reasonable value on whatever good timber they may have. (iii) All the timber on copses, deer parks, lands, and manors of His Majesty's since the beginning of the reign to be noted. (iv) To survey and value all underwoods and to certify what may be made yearly of them to be sold at reasonable prices. (v) To certify the number of acres of copper woods and new places apt and fit for planting new woods and to make an estimate of what the annual charge of maintenance would be for the same. (vi) Only timbers to be surveyed on His Majesty's lands. (vii) To take information without administering an oath. (viii) Same theme. (ix) To enquire into all waste in timber since the beginning of the reign. (:x:) To do all other things necessary for the better execution of His'Majesty's Service. Fo. 34. A Copy of His Majesty's letter about the instructions for the making of silk. There are repeated warnings by His Majesty against the dangers of idleness, the ills of poverty that result, 137 THE LmUTENANOY OF KENT, 1604-28 and the honour that honest labour brings to a country. The object of the long-winded address is to have mulberry trees planted to encourage the silk industry around Maidstone. The plants a.re to be sold in the fair at 6 shilling per hundred and they will be chargeable on a levy within the County. Given under the Signet at the Palace of Westminster the 20th of November in sixth yeare of our reigne of England, hela.nd, etc. Fo. 35. Lord Edward Wotton to the Deputy Lieutenants and the Justices concerning the encouragement to be given the silk industry in the County. 'To set the common people on worke to prevente them from idleness (the mother of all vices) and also to bringe generall profit and gain to them.' At the next Quarter Sessions they are to debate on how to implement His Majesty's directions. He desires them to buy mulberry plants themselves to give good example (myselfe intendinge to invest in one thousand plantes). From the court at Whitehall 26th November, 1608. (Unsigned.) Fo. 35 d. Lord Edward Wotton to Sir Peter Manwood concerning Sir Nicholas Gilborne, Scoutmaster. The laste of November 1608. It appears that upon plea of being Scoutmaster between Lydd and Dover Gilborne would be exempted from finding arms within the Shire. Wotton remarks 'I do not remember that ever I saw Commission or other testimony of his employment in that service'. Gilborne's commission to be Scoutmaster is in the P.R.O. S.P./12/204/47. Oct. 25th, 1587. There is also a copy in the B.M. Add. MSS. 33,923 f. 214. I have also found many references to it in the Leveson Deputy Lieutenancy Papers in Staffs C. Rees. general reference D.593/S/4. G. S. Thomson has also found notice of this Commission in the Twysden Lieutenancy Papers fo. 36. Also in the Scott Papers U48/04-05 in the K.A.O. Wotton ends simply that being within the Cinque ports he is outside his jurisdiction and that he ought to find such arms as are fitting for a man of his rank. Fo. 35 d. Edward Lord Wotton to Sir Thomas Waller asking him to take the leading of Sir Thomas Fane's band, in the lath of St. Augustine's. Dated 30th November, 1608. Fo. 35 d. Wotton to Sir Richard Hoddard Knight. 'I will and command you to repaire unto me at my chamber at Court upon Wednesday the xxth of December by nine of the clocke in the fornoon for some special occasion concerning H. M. Service. Faile ye not.' From the Courte at Whitehall this 14th December 1608. E.W. 138 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 36. Wotton to Sir Wm. Barnes and Sir Wm. Withens concerning the watch at Shooters Hill. He is informed that some people are backward in the payment of the watchmen at Shooters Hill. He tells them to get the constables to impose an equal rate on the wealthier sort of inhabitants. Dated 15thJanuary, 1609. Fo. 36 d. Wotton the Lord Lieutenant to his Deputies for a view of arms. Directed to both parts of the Shire and sent by Mr. Lowerbury on the 8th April, 1609. The usual instructions on such occasions are reiterated. Fo. 37. Edward Lord Wotton to the Deputies for Canterbury for a view of arms. Similar to the last letter but he wants certificate by the last day of October next 20th March, 1609. (At this stage the handwriting in the Letter Book changes character; obviously a different scrivener was employed on copying out the letters from the winter of 1608 onwards.) Fo. 38. (There is a chronological leap forward in the calendar to the Lieutenancy of the second Duke of Lennox. He received his Commission of Lieutenancy of Kent on 3rd June, 1620. SP. 115/149.) The area of jurisdiction is the same a,s Wotton's and like the latter his Deputy Lieutenants are named. But Lennox did not take up his post as Lord Lieutenant until the 8th June, 1621; hence this letter though unsigned is most likely from Wotton to the Deputies. The gap in the letter book of the years 1610-20 may be explained by the fact that in 1610 Edward Lord Wotton was sent as Ambassador extraordinary to France on the occasion of the accession of Louis XIII, and by the fact that he had also gained the office of Treasurer of the Household in November 1616. In this letter to his Deputies calling for a general view of the County's forces, he is much concerned about exemptions from the service and about the fact that the muster master 'stille wants his ordinarie entertaynment in many places'. Dated 13th June, 1620. Some of the remaining folios revert to Wotton's Lieutenancy. Fo. 39. Privy Council letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Kent. Dated 6th June, 1625, and signed among other eleven councillors by Lennox himself. It calls for a general view to be made in Kent, and follows common form for such requests.16 Fo. 39 d. Continues the Privy Council's letter. 16 In copying out the signatures the secretary did not note that Lennox had died ?n the 16th February the previous year; this letter was directed to his successor in. the Lieutenancy of Kent, Philip Herbert, Earl of Montgomery and Fourth Earl of Pembroke, who was made Lord Lieutenant of Kent on the 17th March, 1623-4 although unsigned folio 40 & 41 must have been written at his order. ' 139 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 40. The Lord Lieutenant to his Deputies in the County of Kent, conveying the news of the last letter in a, small covering note, but (and this is a little innovatory for a Lord Lieutenant to his Deputies) he summarized the instructions of the long Privy Council's letter under six marginal headings. Here summarized further. (i) The expense for Powder, match and bullet shall be borne by a general charge. (ii) Each company be divided into squadrons and files with every thirty of them to have a corporal. The leaders to be of the best and most active men. (iii) All the leaders of companies in every lath shall assemble to presem themselves before the muster master so that there may be uniformity in instructions. (iv) The training of the companies to take place between the 15th April and the xv of Sept. and each is to be exercised several times. (v) Three pounds of powder is to be allowed to each shot for their exercise. (vi) Payment for the muster master to be viz. 4d. for every soldier, 4d. from every musket, 6d. the corslett, and 12d. from each officer. Defaulting men are to be certified to the Lord Lieutenant. Fo. 41. Privy Council letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Kent Edward Wotton. Dated from Whitehall the 30th April, 1616. The letter calls for a general view of men. and arms and reiterates the instructions as made many times before. Certificate on this occasion was to be made between this (30th April) and the last of October. (1616. The 30th of April.) Fo. 41 d. The Lord Lieutenant to his Deputy Lieutenants in the Co. of Kent. Dated the 8th March, 1626. He asks them to assemble together and discuss the late instructions from the Privy Council for a general view. He sends enclosed a copy of the letter. There is an extra special warning against defaulters. 'I am fully resolved to a severe course for the punishing of such neglect therein before I have done.' Such directness was unusual, 'faile ye not' was the more common threat. Fo. 42. A Copy of an old Commission. It is in fact a copy of Willia.Ill Lord Cobham's Commission of Lieutenancy of 1585. It is interesting that the Cinque Ports were included in this commission specifically since he was also Lord Warden. Wotton is also mentioned in this old Commission as being an Alderman of the City of Canterbury Fo. 42 d. Is blank. .And with the next page the character of the scribe's handwriting changes once more. 140 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 Fo. 43. A Commission for the Scout Master-Thomas Harfleete Knight. From Edward Lord Wotton sent from Boughton Malherbe 20th Aug., 1616. Harfleete's area of jurisdiction is to be in the lath of St. Augustine and for the better performance of the service he is to have a staff of three. As Scoutmaster he is to have authority to order the various constal;>les to repair or build up beacons and watchhouses and to cause them to provide all watchmen with arms. Fo. 43 d. Continues the above commission; the Scoutmaster is to see to it that all persons living near Beacons forbear making fires, or that there be any extraordinary ringing of bells. He is authorized to have offenders in this matter punished. He is to be ready on all occasions to attend or inform the Lord Lieutenant or one of his Deputies, for anything necessary for the better service of His Majesty. Fo. 44. The Lords of the Privy Council's letter to the Lord Lieutenant of Kent for musters to be held. Dated from the court at Greenwich, 27th January, 1619. The usual instructions are repeated. No doubt this order for a general view was influenced by the outbreak of the Thirty Years War, and there are special instructions for a tightening up on clerical contributions to the musters. Fo. 44 d. Edward Lord Wotton to the Deputies. As usual he encloses a copy of their Lordship's letter. He emphasizes that defaulters not dealt with since the last muster must answer for their neglect at the Council table. The letter is curiously signed 'From the ruins neere Cant. this last of June 1619.' Fo. 45. A copy of the Duke of Lennox's deputation to his Deputy Lieutenants Sir Peter Manwood, Sir Dudlye Digges, Sir Thomas Walsingham, Sir Percival Harte, Sir Nicholas Tufton, Sir Francis Barneham. Much of Lennox's ovm Commission of Lieutenancy is also written into this letter to the Deputies. The Cinque Ports are excepted, Lord Zouche being the Lord Warden. Dated 8th June, 1626. Fo. 46. A copy of the Lord Lieutenant's letter of deputation to the muster master-Nathaniel Darrell. The normal duties of the office are outlined. 'Given under my hand and sea.le' (but no date) and simply signed-L. Fo. 46 cl. 'To my verie loving friends the Mayor of Canterbury and Mr. Wm. Lovelace.' Tells them of orders to him as Lord Lieutenant to have a general muster conducted and asks them to muster the forces of the city and county of Canterbury 'as formerlie ye have done on like occasions'. They are to send up Certificate 'sometime before the seventh and the 141 THE LIEUTENANCY OF KENT, 1604-28 twentieth day of Sept. nexte' so that he can give an account to their Lordships by the 1st of October. From the court at Salisbury this seventh day of August 1620. Fo. 47. A copy of the Lords of the Council letters to my Lord for musters, 31st May, 1620. Whitehall. Fo. 47 d. :My Lord's letter to the Deputy Lieutenants of Kent. They are to do everything in accord with the tenor of their Lordship's letter enclosed and observe 'all pointes as formerlie directed in the tyme of the Lord Wotton' and an expert roll of all the forces and munitions and all other proceedings is to be sent him before the .first of November, being the day prefixed for the return of my certificate unto their Lordships. Fo. 48. Continues this letter, It is sent from the Court at Theoba.lds, this 14th of July 1620 and signed, 'Lenox'. The letter book for Kentish Lieutenancy matters ends here, but Egerton 860 continues with Buckinghamshire, and Middlesex Lieutenancies. Calendared byJ. J. N. McGurk, Postgraduate Student of University College London, and Lecturer in History at St. Mary's College of Education, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. 142